Evaluation of the Antibacterial and Drug Potentiating Activity of Dysphania ambrosioides Ethanol Extract Against MDR Strains
Luiz Filipi Teles Feitosa1, Adrielle Rodrigues Costa2, José Thyálisson da Costa Silva3, Dhenes Ferreira Antunes2, Lariza Leisla Leandro Nascimento3, Francisco Sydney Henrique Félix4, Cicero Dos Santos Leandro3, Maria Elizete Machado Generino3, Eveline Naiara Nuvens Oliveira3, Francisca Sâmara Muniz dos Santos3, Gabriel Messias da Silva Nascimento3, Maria Ivaneide Rocha3, Cezar Augusto Resende de Brito Gomes5, Beatriz De Melo Nogueira5, Henrique Douglas Melo Coutinho3 and José Weverton Almeida-Bezerra3*
1 Estácio do Ceará University Center, Fortaleza – CE, Brazil.
2 Federal University of Cariri, Crato – CE, Brazil.
3 Regional University of Cariri, Crato – CE, Brazil.
4 State University of Ceara, Fortaleza – CE, Brazil.
5 Juazeiro do Norte School of Medicine, Juazeiro do Norte – CE, Brazil.
*Corresponding Author: Prof. Dr. José Weverton Almeida-Bezerra, Department of Biological Chemistry, Regional University of Cariri, 63105-000, Crato, CE, Brazil.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.58624/SVOAMB.2024.05.053
Received: August 16, 2024 Published: September 26, 2024
Abstract
The discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming in 1928 marked the beginning of the antibiotic era but also led to the development of resistant bacterial strains. Bacterial resistance, worsened by the improper use of antibiotics, has become a growing concern. Phytotherapy, particularly using medicinal plants, emerges as a promising alternative for treating resistant infections. Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin & Clemants, commonly known as "mastruz," has shown significant therapeutic potential and is the focus of this study to evaluate its effect against multidrug-resistant bacterial strains. The leaves of D. ambrosioides were collected, and an ethanolic extract (EEDA) was prepared from 250 g of dried leaves. Antibacterial activity was assessed using standard strains (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus) and resistant clinical isolates. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was determined by microdilution in 96-well plates. The potentiating effect of EEDA was evaluated by combining it with gentamicin, norfloxacin, and oxacillin, using serial microdilutions and resazurin analysis. EEDA showed a significant potentiating effect when combined with gentamicin for P. aeruginosa, reducing the MIC. However, with norfloxacin and oxacillin, the effect was antagonistic. For E. coli, the combination with gentamicin also reduced the MIC, though not statistically significant. For S. aureus, there was no change in MIC with gentamicin and norfloxacin, and the combination with oxacillin showed an antagonistic effect. Phytochemical analysis revealed flavonoids and other secondary metabolites in EEDA, suggesting these compounds may influence antimicrobial activity. These results underscore the importance of investigating interactions between natural compounds and antibiotics to develop more effective therapeutic strategies.
Keywords: Bacterial resistance, Antibiotics, Phytotherapy, Medicinal plant.
Citation: Feitosa LFT, Costa A. R, Silva JTC, Antunes DF, Nascimento LLL, Felix FSH, Leandro CDS, Generino MEM, Oliveira ENN, Santos FSM, Nascimento GMS, Rocha MI, Gomes CARB, Nogueira BDM, Coutinho HDM, Almeida-Bezerra J W. Evaluation of the Antibacterial and Drug Potentiating Activity of Dysphania ambrosioides Ethanol Extract Against MDR Strains. SVOA Microbiology 2024, 5:4, 148-152. doi:10.58624 SVOAMB.2024.05.053
